"We're crazy. Certifiably insane," Luke grumbled as he walked into the nursery.

Lorelai was sitting in the rocking chair nursing Ben. She stroked her fingers through the infant's downy hair and whispered, "Your daddy might be certifiable, but the rest of us are perfectly sane." At the sound of Lorelai's voice, Ben suckled more rapidly for a few seconds before slowing down again. "That's right, little man, Daddy's lost his mind. You want to know why has Daddy lost his mind? I don't know. That's a good question. We should ask him. Luke, why have you lost your mind?"

"I admit that I'm crazy, but so are you. Why else would we try to take a vacation with two five-year-olds and two one-month-olds?"

"It's tradition. We always spend the Fourth of July at the lake."

"We've never done it with newborns. I forgot how much stuff they need."

Laughing, Lorelai guessed, "The truck's full already."

Luke confirmed Lorelai's theory with a nod, then mentioned, "We haven't even packed anybody's clothes yet."

"I guess it's a good thing we're taking both cars."

Luke gave a grunt of acknowledgement and, noticing that Lorelai had finished nursing Ben, asked, "Do you want me to take him?"

"Please. And could you bring me Liam?"

"Sure," agreed Luke, crossing the room to Liam's crib. He gently lifted Liam from the crib and carried him to Lorelai. The whole time Liam was in his arms, Luke spoke to his son in soft, soothing tones. "Hey, Liam, are you ready for your breakfast? I bet you're looking forward to spending a little alone time with your mom, so I'll just get Ben out of your way and leave you to it." Luke and Lorelai easily traded babies and, while Lorelai nursed Liam, Luke carried Ben to the changing table to get him ready for their trip to the lake.

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Lorelai walked into the master bedroom and collapsed spread-eagle on the bed with a heavy sigh that brought Luke out of the bathroom still holding the razor and toothpaste that he had been about to pack. He glanced at the bassinet next to the bed and, seeing that the twins were still asleep, returned to the bathroom to finish packing his toiletries.

When he walked out of the bathroom the second time, Lorelai was still stretched across the bed. She didn't show any indication that she was aware of Luke as he moved around the room tossing his shaving kit and some clothes into the open suitcase that sat in front of the dresser. Eventually, the silence got to Luke, so, approaching the bed slowly, he asked, "Is everything okay, Lorelai?"

"I'm just tired. I'll be fine in a minute."

Luke sat down on the bed and took hold of Lorelai's hand, lightly stroking small circles on the inside of her wrist with his thumb. "We don't have to go to the lake. We can stay home. I'll take the kids to the park and you can take a nap."

"We're going."

"We can skip one year. It will be okay."

"We're going," Lorelai snarled, ripping her hand away from Luke and struggling to sit up.

Realizing that he had upset Lorelai and wasn't going to win the argument, Luke conceded. "Okay, then what can I do to help? The twins and I are packed, so I could go help Jess and Rory with their packing," he suggested, already making his way toward the door.

"I already took care of it. They're ready to go. I talked them down to one backpack of books each."

"That's a minor miracle. I'm impressed. How about I pack for you instead?"

"Really?"

"Really. Don't you think I can handle it?"

"I'm sure you're perfectly capable of throwing my bathroom stuff and a few changes of clothes in the suitcase," Lorelai assured him. "I'm just surprised you want to."

Offended by her skepticism, Luke wanted to know, "Why are you surprised that I want to help you?"

"It's just that packing for me has nothing to do with the kids."

"I know our lives revolve around the kids right now, but I didn't realize we'd gotten to the point that I can't do anything for you that doesn't directly involve them."

"You can. I didn't mean anything by it."

"If something's bothering you, we should…"

Lorelai interrupted Luke. "It's nothing. I'm just tired. Please pack for me." She grabbed a pillow and laid down on her side to watch Luke as he packed what he thought she would need for a week at the lake. Occasionally, he would hold up an article of clothing for her approval, but, for the most part, Lorelai was able to relax and let Luke make the decisions.

The suitcase was nearly full when Luke turned to face Lorelai and saw that she had fallen asleep. He cleared his throat to rouse her and asked, "How many swimsuits do you want to take?"

Lorelai pressed the heel of her hand against her eyes and rubbed the sleep away. "None," she mumbled into the pillow.

Luke's eyebrows shot up and, for a brief moment, he could only stare at Lorelai with wide-eyed shock. After the shock wore off, he smiled and, with a careless shrug, said, "I'm not really sure that skinny dipping is the best idea with four kids around, but I guess we could give it a try."

"You're hilarious."

Feigning innocence, Luke scoffed, "I don't know what you mean."

"We're not going skinny dipping. I'm not swimming at all."

"Not this again," groaned Luke. "You look beautiful and you can wear whatever you want."

"Uh, in case you've forgotten, I just had two babies. I still look like a blob and should not be wearing a bathing suit right now, but that's not why I'm not swimming."

"Okay, then why aren't you swimming this year?"

"The whole giving birth thing means that certain activities have an increased risk of infection."

"What does that have to do with swimming?"

"My doctor hasn't given me the all clear, so I'm not supposed to swim. Or engage in, um, other activities."

"Oh, uh, right, okay," stammered Luke, his cheeks turning a brilliant shade of red. "I won't pack any swimsuits for you, but only because swimming isn't worth you getting any, um, sort of, uh, infection, not because you look like a blob. Because you don't."

Lorelai chuckled. "You're sweet. You're lying, but you're sweet. You're also blushing."

Frowning, Luke griped, "Am not."

"Now, you're pouting and it's adorable."

"Ah geez, Lorelai, I'm not lying or sweet or blushing or pouting or adorable."

"Yes, you are," she giggled. "And your face keeps getting redder."

Before Luke could reply, there was a soft knock on the door, so he contented himself with glaring at Lorelai as he crossed the room to open the door for Jess and Rory. Jess spoke first, whispering, "Hi, Daddy, please we can leave now?"

"I'm ready, but Mommy is still in bed."

Rory peered around her father's legs at her mother and pleaded, "Please, Mommy, we can go to the lake now?"

"Yes, sweet girl! Let's go to the lake!" cheered Lorelai. She bounced out of bed with as much energy as she could muster, waking Ben and Liam in the process.

"Lorelai!" Luke scolded her gently as they both hurried to comfort the crying babies.

"Sorry. I'll just feed them really quick, then we can go."

"Mommmmmy!" wailed Jess.

Lorelai looked at the matching expressions of misery on Jess and Rory's faces and sighed. "Luke, why don't you take them ahead. The boys and I will be right behind you."

"We can wait."

"They've done a lot of waiting over the last few weeks. I can handle this feeding on my own."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Luke wasn't happy with Lorelai's plan, but agreed anyway. "Fine, but I'm going to put the suitcases in your car first," he told her as he helped her and the twins get situated on the bed.

"Thank you. We'll be right behind you."

"You better be." Luke closed the packed suitcase and carried it toward the door while telling Jess and Rory to say goodbye to their mother and brothers.

Rory was already racing down the hall before she heard Luke's instructions. She paused just long enough to call over her shoulder, "Bye, Mommy."

Unlike Rory, Jess had lingered in the doorway waving. "Bye bye, Mommy and Ben and Leem."

"Bye, Jess."

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Less than an hour after Luke parked in front of the cabin, Lorelai did the same. Luke met her as she got out the car and helped her carry the twins inside. While Jess and Rory kept an eye on their baby brothers, Luke and Lorelai unloaded both vehicles. By mid-afternoon, the bags were all unpacked and the family was ready to enjoy their annual vacation at the lake.

After a late lunch, Lorelai and Luke took the twins into their bedroom to be fed and put down for a nap. Lorelai nursed Ben first while Luke walked around the room holding Liam. When Ben had finished eating, Lorelai passed him to Luke and took Liam. By the time Liam finished nursing, Jess and Rory were persistently knocking on the door despite Luke's repeated reminders that they needed to be quiet.

"Ben and Liam will never be able to fall asleep with that racket," Luke complained to Lorelai after telling Jess and Rory again to be quiet.

"They're just excited, Luke."

"I know, but I can't take them swimming until the twins are asleep, so they need to be quiet."

"Be reasonable. They're just little kids."

"I know."

"They won't always want to play with you."

"I know."

"So take them swimming!" ordered Lorelai, frustrated that Luke was being too dense to take a hint.

"What about the twins nap?"

"I've got it. You're acting like I don't do this every day while you're at work."

"I know you do. I just don't want you to feel like I'm leaving you to deal with the babies by yourself all the time."

"You can't seriously be worried about that. You're like the best dad ever. That's why you're going to take Jess and Rory swimming and let me deal with nap time."

Studying Lorelai carefully, Luke tried to determine if she really wanted him to leave her alone with the twins. Deciding that not only did she want to be left alone, but that she would probably kick him out if he didn't leave willingly, he said, "Fine. I'll go."

As Luke started to leave, Lorelai called him back, "Luke, you have leave Ben here."

Luke glanced down and seemed surprised to find Ben in his arms. "Oh, sorry." He gently passed the baby to Lorelai, then left the room to find Jess and Rory.

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It took Lorelai much longer than usual to get Ben and Liam to fall asleep. When she was finally able to lay them down in their portable crib and sneak out of the room without waking them, she grabbed the baby monitor and went outside to join Luke and the kids. As she walked to the end of the dock, Lorelai watched Luke splash Jess and Rory while they tried unsuccessfully to outrun the cascading water. They were so caught up in their game that they didn't immediately notice Lorelai sit down on the end of the dock. She didn't draw their attention until she laughed when Luke picked up the kids, spun them in a circle, and dropped them in the lake. Jess and Rory rose to the surface shaking their heads like wet dogs and squealing, "Mommy! Mommy!"

Lorelai leaned forward and held her hands out to Jess and Rory. As they paddled over to her, she asked, "Are you guys having fun with Daddy?"

Grabbing onto one of Lorelai's hands, Rory nodded enthusiastically. "Uh huh."

Jess pulled on Lorelai's other hand and demanded, "You come swimming with us."

"I can't, but Daddy will keep swimming with you and I'll take you swimming next time we're here."

"But, Mommy, I want you to swim."

"Sorry, sweet boy. Not this trip."

"Why, Mommy?" he whined, pulling harder on her hand.

"I have to listen for your brothers in case they wake up."

Jess howled, "But, Mommy, I want you to swim with me!"

Luke swam over to stand behind Jess and Rory. Laying one hand on Jess' shoulder, Luke stated, "That's enough."

The firm reprimand left no room for argument and Jess promptly burst into tears. "I want Mommy!"

Stunned by Jess' outburst, Lorelai hurried to reassure him. "I'm right here."

"No! You only love Ben and Leem now," Jess cried, gasping for air as tears streamed down his face.

"Your mommy loves all of you," Luke explained, sinking low to look Jess in the eye. "But Ben and Liam are babies. They need Mommy for everything. You and Rory are big kids."

"No."

Lorelai took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Luke, hand him here." Once Jess was sitting in her lap, Lorelai gently wiped away his tears. "I love you, Jess, but I can't swim this time. You can either swim with Daddy or we can go inside to take a nap."

Leaning heavily against Lorelai, Jess sniffled, "Want Mommy."

"What about you, Rory?"

"I want to swim with Daddy," Rory answered, thrusting a wave of water in Luke's direction.

"Okay, you two have fun," Lorelai said, helping Jess to his feet. "We'll see you later and, hopefully, we will be in a better mood," She directed her last comment toward Luke, but cut her gaze toward Jess, clearly indicating whose mood needed improving.

Luke chuckled as he watched Lorelai climb to her feet and lead Jess into the cabin. When they were safely inside, he scooped Rory out of the water and lifted her over his head. She squealed in delight when he threw her a few feet deeper into the lake causing her to dip beneath the water before her life jacket brought her back to the surface. Rory begged Luke to repeat the process many times throughout the afternoon until they were both too tired to continue.

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That night, Luke was so exhausted that he could barely drag himself to bed. Laying down next to Lorelai, he wondered out loud, "How does somebody so small have so much energy?"

"Rory?" Lorelai clarified as she rolled over to face Luke and propped herself up on one elbow.

"Mhmm. I must have thrown her across the lake a hundred times, but, if she'd had her way, it would have been a thousand."

Lorelai placed her hand over Luke's heart and lightly scratched her fingernails back and forth across his chest in a small arc. "Poor Luke, beat by an itty-bitty little girl," she teased.

"Hey! Unlike you, I didn't get to spend the afternoon sleeping."

"It's not my fault our sons were tired while our daughter had energy to spare."

"You haven't been secretly giving her coffee, have you?"

With a sly smile, Lorelai swore, "It hasn't been a secret."

"Lorelai!"

"I'm kidding! Rory's energy is all natural."

"I'm not sure what is more terrifying. The idea of you giving our five-year-old coffee or the thought that all her energy is natural."

"Does it matter? Either way she's going to want to swim again tomorrow. Are you going to be able to handle that, old man?"

Luke groaned, "I guess I'll have to."

"Maybe Jess will want to swim too and I'll actually get a chance to watch you guys during the twins' nap."

"How are you going to do that if you have to listen for Ben and Liam to wake up?"

"The same way I was going to do it today."

"Which is what?" questioned Luke, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion.

"How is it that you've forgotten about baby monitors? You're the one who convinced me to use a baby monitor when I first brought Rory home."

"I remember. I'm just so tired that I can't think straight and we haven't really had to use one with Ben and Liam yet. They're always with us."

"You're blaming sleep deprivation for forgetting basic baby care."

"Much more of Rory and I'll be forgetting my own name."

"If you're so tired, what are you doing talking to me? You should be sleeping."

"You're right. We should be sleeping. Come here." In a swift motion that Lorelai didn't see coming, Luke pulled her onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her to hold her there.

Lorelai snuggled deeper into Luke's embrace, ready to follow her own advice and get some sleep. However, all plans for sleep were ruined by the sounds of the babies beginning to stir and whimper for the first of their late-night feedings. "Aaaahhh," sobbed Lorelai, turning her face into Luke's chest. Then, rolling away from Luke and sitting up, she added, "Sleep will have to wait."

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On the morning of the Fourth of July, Lorelai walked across the yard to where Luke sat in a lawn chair under a tree. Without a word, she handed him a mug of tea and sat down in the lawn chair next to his to drink her coffee. Luke broke the silence first, asking, "Where are the kids?"

"Jess and Rory are reading to Ben and Liam. They'll come get us if they need something."

"So we have a few minutes alone?"

"Looks that way."

With a sigh of relief, Luke slid lower in his chair. "Peace and quiet at last."

"Don't tell me you're still tired."

"Not so much. I'm just enjoying the calm before the storm."

"What storm? I thought we were supposed to have good weather today."

"Exactly. Good weather on the Fourth of July means that stupid people will be lighting off more fireworks than are necessary and keeping the kids will be up all night."

"It will be fine. You worry too much."

"Which of our kids do you think is going to sleep through the sound of bombs exploding right outside their window?"

"And you say I'm dramatic?"

"You are dramatic. I'm realistic," countered Luke.

Snorting, Lorelai tried to hide her smile behind her coffee mug. "Exploding bombs is realistic?"

"It is today."

"Come on, Luke. The nearest neighbors are on the other side of the lake. They could probably set off actual bombs without us hearing them."

"I doubt it. They're not that far away."

"We'll find out tonight and you can apologize in the morning for being a drama queen."

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The next day, as soon as Luke began to stir, Lorelai leaned across the bed to kiss his cheek. "Do you have something to say to me?" she whispered imploringly.

Luke reached blindly for the alarm clock. "What time is it?"

"Six. I believe you owe me an apology."

Not even bothering to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about, Luke replied bluntly, "I don't think so. We could hear the fireworks from across the lake all night long."

"But the kids were able to sleep through them and so were we."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that I was right and you were wrong. Admit it, you were being a drama queen yesterday."

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance."

"Fine. You were half right, but so was I."

"And?"

"No."

"Luuuuuke." Lorelai dragged his name out, turning it into an implied warning.

"No."

"Admit that you were being a drama queen."

"I will not admit to being…that."

"You can do it here. Privately. Or I can do it public when we go home. I'm thinking the middle of the diner during the lunch rush."

"You wouldn't," growled Luke, glaring at Lorelai.

"Oh, but I would," she threatened. Luke thought Lorelai's attempt at being menacing was adorable and struggled not to laugh. Lorelai huffed, "I'm serious, Lucas."

"I know."

"What's it going to be?"

"There's nothing I can do to get you to drop this?"

"Nope!"

"I hate this."

"That makes it even better."

Luke hated the idea of what he was being forced to admit so much that it was almost painful for him to force the words out as he said, "I may have been slightly overdramatic."

"Say it. You were a drama queen."

"I was a drama queen," confessed Luke, speaking so quickly that his entire sentence sounded like one word.

Lorelai rewarded Luke with a kiss. "Now, if you think you're done being dramatic, we can enjoy the rest of our vacation."

Rolling his eyes, Luke muttered, "Ah geez."